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Duchin, Peter (Author/Subject); Michener, Charles (Co-Author) & Spiegel, Clara Gatzert (Recipient) : Peter Duchin: Ghost Of A Chance

Random House, New York City, NY, 1996

ISBN 0679414185

First Edition / First Printing. Fine in Fine Dust Jacket. 380 pages. Rare Peter Duchin and Clara Gatzert Spiegel collectible item. A fine copy of the author's memoir, signed and inscribed by Peter Duchin accompanied by a full-page letter. The First Hardcover Edition. Precedes and should not be confused with all other subsequent editions. Published in a small and limited first print run as a hardcover original only. The First Edition is now scarce. Presents Peter Duchin's "Ghost of A Chance". Musical in the best sense of the word. "A strange and compelling mix of celebrity biography and social history. The son of the most famous bandleader, Eddy Duchin, Peter Duchin was sent off to be raised by the friends of his socialite mother after her death. Those friends just happened to be the Harrimans, Averell and Marie. After watching 'The Eddy Duchin Story', the Hollywood film version of his biological father's life, the younger Duchin recalls feeling 'pretty beat up and confused'. The same can be said of his life in general, but that's what happens when your paternal legacy includes one father who ranked among the top entertainers of the era and another who happened to be one of the richest and most important world figures of the century" (Publishers Weekly). Seemingly dwarfed by two towering father-figures, Peter Duchin somehow found his place through two rare blessings: His good looks and his musical talent. He is considered one of the most Hollywood-handsome Americans as well as one of the finest band musicians ever, performing at Truman Capote's Black And White Ball and literally thousands of other social events, including Command Performances at the White House. An absolute "must-have" title for Peter Duchin collectors. This copy is very prominently and beautifully signed, dated (in the year of publication), and inscribed in black pen on the half-title page by the author: "To my dearest friend, With so much love to you Clara, Peter 8/6/96". It comes with an Autographed Letter Signed (ALS). Please review scan for full text of the Letter. This title is a contemporary classic. As far as we know, this is the only such signed and inscribed copy of the First Hardcover Edition/First Printing available online and is in especially fine condition: Clean, crisp, and bright, a pristine beauty. Please note: The recipient, Clara Gatzert Spiegel (1904-1997), was the quintessential American cosmopolitan/socialite, a cross between Brooke Astor and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. The wife of the Chicago-based magnate Frederick W. Spiegel, she was wealthy and well-connected, a bona-fide member of the American elite at the peak of its influence and power. She was an accomplished novelist, short story writer, and patron of the arts. Like her close friend Ernest Hemingway, her passion, aside from writing, was the great outdoors, whether skiing in Sun Valley, big-game hunting in Africa, and trout fishing near her Idaho estate. A rare signed copy thus. Two of the iconic American figures of the 20th century. A fine collectible copy. . ISBN 0679414185.

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